Access to health services is about more than just health insurance.  Understanding the public health care system and having a primary care provider are key components of the access to health services story.  Access to comprehensive, quality health care services is important for promoting and maintaining health, preventing and managing disease, reducing unnecessary disability and premature death, and achieving health equity.¹

2018-2023

Legislation, Policies, and Programs

• The New Jersey Health Insurance Market Preservation Act (P.L. 2018, c.31) requires most state residents to maintain health coverage.
• The Palliative Care Act (P.L. 2019, c.227) requires certain health care facilities to provide information concerning palliative care and hospice care services.
• Cover All Kids (P.L. 2021, c.132) is a state initiative that aims to provide health insurance coverage to all children in New Jersey, regardless of their immigration status or family income.
• The New Jersey Supplemental Prenatal and Contraceptive Program (NJSPCP) is a state-funded program that provides free or low-cost prenatal and contraceptive care to uninsured and underinsured women in New Jersey.

Final Assessment

• One of three Access to Health Services targets was achieved by 2020.
  • The target was achieved for health insurance coverage among persons under age 19 years.
• Health insurance coverage for all persons under age 65 years improved but the target was not met.
• The proportion of adults with a primary care provider declined over the decade.

For more information, please refer to these resources:

• NJ FamilyCare
• Get Covered NJ (New Jersey's Official Health Insurance Marketplace)
• healthcare.gov (Affordable Care Act enrollment)
• Healthy People 2020
• Healthy People 2030

Reference:

1. Access to Health Services. Healthy People 2020. 10/8/20.